First Half of 2026 Sees a Shift in Leadership Despite conflict in the Middle East, sharp oil price swings, and resurging inflation concerns, equity markets posted positive returns in the first half of 2026 amid de-escalating geopolitical risk, strong corporate earnings led by the AI infrastructure buildout, and a still-resilient economy.
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The AI memory shortage that began squeezing hyperscaler supply chains in 2025 has now entered its second calendar year, with Micron Technology guiding fiscal Q4 2026 revenue to roughly $50 billion and HBM4 qualification samples still rationed among lead customers.
HudBay Minerals (HBM) concluded the recent trading session at $23.68, signifying a +1.63% move from its prior day's close.
Micron's NASDAQ: MU fiscal Q3 results and the strength of its outperformance highlight a persistent problem in today's market: there is a fundamental misunderstanding of the AI trade. AI isn't a niche; it's not a bubble.
Micron Technology remains a strong buy, driven by robust AI-fueled demand for HBM, DRAM, and NAND memory. MU's valuation has reached an inflection point; further upside hinges on sustained growth and management's outlook for 2028. Investor focus is shifting from near-term beats to long-term revenue lock-in, HBM margin accretion, and supply chain health.
MU's DRAM revenues may have surged in Q3 as AI demand, HBM leadership and NVIDIA ties fuel one of its strongest memory markets in years.
In the latest trading session, HudBay Minerals (HBM) closed at $27.59, marking a -2.06% move from the previous day.
Micron stock (NASDAQ: MU) remains in focus ahead of the company's fiscal third-quarter results on June 24, with investors debating whether one of Wall Street's strongest AI-linked rallies still has room to run. The stock has surged as the memory-chip cycle has tightened, but a fresh bullish call has pushed the debate further.
SK Hynix said on Thursday it has shipped samples of its 12-layer HBM4E memory chip to major customers, as the South Korean chipmaker seeks to strengthen its position in the fast-growing AI semiconductor market.
I'm upgrading Micron to a cautious buy on pullbacks. My call is mainly driven by structural AI demand and memory supply constraints. MU's valuation is now based on a multi-year AI supercycle, with HBM4 demand visibility and pricing power supporting the bull thesis. Key near-term catalysts include management's commentary on HBM TAM, revenue run-rate, and gross margin expansion at the upcoming June 24 print, in my opinion.
Micron Technology (MU) is a frontrunner in the AI-driven memory supercycle, benefiting from surging demand for DRAM and HBM products. MU's strategic customer agreements, rapid HBM3E ramp, and expanding cloud memory business underpin record revenue and margin expansion. Despite cyclical risks and aggressive competition, structural supply constraints and AI tailwinds support elevated pricing and earnings durability.